[dfn8tly]

Chattanooga,

Without getting real specific I think some of your numbers are a little off, in both directions.

Under Taxes have you included your Bond payment? This number looks a little small. Also, a Homestead Exemption will not reduce your tax liability by 50% (it's an exemption of $25,000 on assessed value).

Water & Sewer - These charges come on your North Sumter Utility bill (assuming you're buying in Sumter County) and mine run about $60/mth.

Electric - You've made no provision for gas so I'll assume you're looking at an all electric home. My combined gas & electricity run about $93/mth. (my home faces north and is set back so I get very little ambient heat in the afternoon, I also keep my AC set high). So I think you've overstated your cost in this category.

Garbage - This also comes on your N. S. Utility bill. Mine is less than $17/mth.

Cable TV - There are all kinds of packages and combinations. My bill is significantly higher because I have HD and High Speed Internet. Your figure is probably good for initial budgeting purposes an a basic plan.

We don't have "Association Fees", we have "Amenity Fees" - I don't know where you got $250 but I think that's much too high. Each village is a little different but I live in Amelia and mine is $130/mth.

Insurance - I assume you mean Homeowners and Hurricane. I believe your figure here is much too high. You should easily be able to get good coverage for around half of that amount.

Lawn Care - $50 will probably get your grass cut and the lawn edged. This will not be enough unless you're planning on doing a lot yourself. You'll need lawn fertilizing and pest control, shrub trimming and pest control as well as indoor pest control sprayed on the exterior of your home. Yes, I did say "pest" several times. We have a lot of them and you can't let them get started. This is a necessary cost of ownership and I would budget $90-100/mth.

I hope this information is helpful. I'm a numbers person. Before I moved down here I found it difficult to get specific information. Come on down, it's all worth it.